Geneva, Switzerland- The International Labour Organization (ILO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, appointed the Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) as its External Auditor for a period of four years beginning on April 1, 2016.

The ILO’s Governing Body made the appointment following the unanimous recommendation of the Selection Panel during the ILO’s on-going 323rd Session being held in Geneva, Switzerland from March 12-27, 2015. The Philippines was selected over other shortlisted candidates, France and the United Kingdom.

 The Selection Panel, a tripartite body composed of Ghana, China, the United States of America and Greece representing Governments, South Africa and Japan representing the Employers group, and Belgium and Denmark representing the Workers group, considered the high level of professionalism and technical qualities as well as non-technical aspects such as diversity in audit base and approach to client relations.

“This appointment is an affirmation not only of COA’s audit expertise but also its integrity and independence. We assure the ILO of our promise to deliver quality external audit to the highest professional standards and to work together with the ILO in its pursuit of its mandate,” said COA Commissioner and Officer-in-Charge Heidi L. Mendoza.

Consul Arnel Talisayon, representing the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, for his part, appreciated “the objective, holistic, and systematic procedure of evaluating the proposal of each of the candidates which reflects on the high level integrity and professionalism of the ILO.”

Accompanying Commissioner Mendoza during her oral presentation on March 14, 2015 for the ILO bid were COA Directors Lito Q. Martin, Michael Racelis, Danilo Cabug and Visitacion Mendoza, Auditor Heherson Visaya, Ms. Jennifer Andrea Imperial of the Office of Commissioner Mendoza, Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, and Finance Officer Tomas A. Valerio of the Mission. Her Excellency Cecilia B. Rebong and Deputy Permanent Representative Noralyn Baja also supported the COA in its bid.

For further information, please click the following link:
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_354254.pdf